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hess

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Apr 15, 2008
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Good morning,

I am 13 days post op, and am doing fairly well. I'm a 40 year old mother of 3. I had TKR on my left knee, and I think my right leg is not too far behind! I'm at 112 degrees, and can make it around on the recumbent bike, but not for too many cycles!!

I'm concerned about pain meds. I can do well if I am taking my meds religiously. I take them about 45 mins before PT, and then I do much better. If I don't take the meds, I don't want to do much because I am already sore.

I get very stiff and sore, but if I take meds, I am much more likely to do the things necessary to stretch, and feel better.

I'm afraid about what will happen when the pain meds run out. Right now, it is simple to get the meds, but I know it will not always be that way, so I try to wean myself now. That does not seem to be the answer for me.

I am looking for some words of wisdom from all of you, and maybe some advice as to where I should be going from here.

Thanks,
Hess
 
Hess, That first month is a darn!! I took Oxycodone for the better part of three months. I gradually cut back throughout that period until I was down to 1/4 pill every now and then.
I would really think it is too soon for you to cut back too much. If you are hurting, especially after P.T. you need to take the meds. Talk with your Dr. and see what he thinks about your discomfort level.
My Dr. was fantastic as far a pain management. I asked for and got a final refill for 50 for "rainy days".
 
hess, your doing great and the pain will get less. like doug said, you need more now because you hurt more now, but time lessens. I know it seemms like it will never be any different, but it will. Use your meds and don't hurt. No guilt. Your knee was beat all the heck up.
 
Hi Hess,
Just keep doing exacly what you are doing and as the weeks move on you will keep getting better and better. I am 6 weeks post op today and walking around un-supported. It is still a little swollen and sore but I find that working out on my exercise bike makes the knee feel better and stronger. Only meds I am taking now are panadeine forte, (4 at night only) for back pain due to TKR re-alignment of posture, this pain I am told only lasts a short time. Also try to remember that the healing of your knee is also taking place on the inside where all the hard work went on by the OS. Best of luck and it will get better , have patience and God bless.
Ern.
 
Hess,
Welcome back. I just got home yesterday. One thing the nurses stressed over and over was to NOT let youself get in too much pain. It will compromise the PT. I am one of those who really need to have that drilled in because I absolutely hate the side effects. Since I came home, I've found that it has helped to mix Tylenol along with a lower dose of I want to be lucid at all. My PT doesn't started at home until tomorrow but I intend to be well dosed prior to that. Good luck. If you look like you may run out, by all means call your OS.
Sharon
 
Hess,
WOW - 13 days that is amazing. I'm 43 and I'm at 6 weeks post op and have just got to the place you are at. I got messed up with trying to back off meds so I could work some. It just slowed me down. Now, I take them before therapy, and I do the exercises faithfully. And I'm back to improving. Wow - I can't imagine doing this with three kids to look after. I have a hard enough time not letting my kitten get on my nerves! Best of luck to you! --dar
 
Well I am at day 21 and the knee is at about 92 on the right and 95 on the left. It will be slow according to the doctor.

In the past, I would also skip the pain meds but it really does not work to your benefit.

In rehab since the schedule changed every day it was hard for them to match up the pain meds so they have me on 15 mg morphine extended relief. I take 1 at 8 am and one at 8 pm and that has been fine. I do get a bit sore after I do my exercises so I take some tylenol and ice.

The PT's were also on me to take something more before PT as they were not able to really work the knee, so I am taking 4 mg of hydromorphone (Dilaudad) before PT and that seems to work.

I am just going to see how it goes as getting things to bend is the goal.

Good luck to all

I am also glad to be on this side.

Simon
 
Congratulations!

You are doing great.

Please don't skimp on the pain meds if you need them. I did, and as a result, I did not progress in PT nearly as fast as I probably could have. Once I realized I needed to medicate before PT, I began to progress much more rapidly.

I think most of us worry unnecessarily about becoming drug addicts.
 
Hess
You sound like you are doing AWesome! Keep up all the positive progress. You are an inspiration and I can only hope to do as well as you this time next month! Keep pushing - but don't back off the meds to fast! Take care of you!
Marianne
 
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